Life-preserver



(No Model.)

J. CHRISTENSEN.

LIFE PRESERVE-R.

No. 426,363. Patented Apr. 22, 1890.

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I 3% $311 aHomm L THE mums PETERS cm. PHD To-umm, WASHINGTON, 04 c4 WWW UNITED STATns PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN CHRISTENSEN, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

LlFE-PRESERVER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 426,363, dated April 22, 1890.

Application filed August 10, 1889. Serial No. 320,389. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN CHRISTENSEN, a subject of the King of Denmark, residing at Kansas City, Jackson county, Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Life-Preservers, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

My invention relates to an improvement in life-preservers5 and it consists in the peculiar construction and combination of devices that will be more fully set forth hereinafter, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a detailed elevation of one of the floats, showing the means for attaching the same to the strap. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of my improved life-preserver complete. Fig. 3 is a detailed sectional view of a modified form of the floats. Fig. 4 is a detailed perspective view showing the means for attaching floats to the straps.

In the construction of my improved lifepreserved I employ the strap F, which is adapted to be passed around the body of the wearer below the armpits and has a buckle G, whereby it may be adjusted. The strap F is supported by a pair of straps H, which pass over the shoulders, and have loops t' a" at their lower ends, through which the strap F is passed. A strap J is passed around the waist of the wearer and has a buckle K, whereby it maybe adjusted. The said strap J is maintained in position by a pair of straps I, which are arranged just back of the arms, have loops j at their upper ends, through which the strap F passes, and loops 9" at their lower ends, through which the strap J is passed.

Attached to the straps F J, in front and on the back of the wearer, is a series of floats A, each of which is spherical in shape, is hollow, contains air, and is preferably made of rubber, although other material may be employed. The said hollow floats, being closed to prevent the escape of air are exceedingly efficient and buoyant. Each float is engaged by a web B, of flexible material or fabric, having straps a, which pass around the floats, as shown. Bolts b are passed through the said webs on one side of the floats and are adapted to be passed through openings in the straps F J, and to the inner ends of the said bolts are screwed nuts 0, which serve to firmly attach the floats to the straps, as will be readily understood, and to permit the floats to be easily removed from the straps when desired.

In the modified form of my invention the floats C are provided on one side with extensions 9, having transverse openings g. Straps D are passed through the said openings, and each strap D has one end a fastened to the strap F or J by a button f, and has its opposite end cl provided with a button-hole d, whereby it may be fastened to the adjacent button f on the strap F or J.

Inasmuch as the floats are removable, any desired number of them may be employed.

A life-preserver thus constructed will be found very efficient. The floats act independently, and if one or more of them is destroyed the remainder will buoy the wearer sufficiently to keep his face above water. The disposition of the floats 011 the body by means of the straps F J is such that the wearer is supported in the water in the proper position for swimming, and the life-preserver in no wise interferes with his freedom of movement. -When worn over a bathing-suit, the strap and floats may be covered with the material of which the suit is composed, thereby rendering the life-preserver very inconspicuous. I

For the use of persons learning to swim my improved life-preserver will be found peculiarly efflcient. Having learned to make the strokes and acquired confidence in the water, the learner can gradually divest himself of the floats until in time he can swim and keep himself afloat without their aid. In some instances it may be found practicable to entirely dispense with the lower strap J and the floats attached thereto.

A life-preserver thus constructed is very strong and durable, is exceedingly efficient, and may be manufactured at a very slight cost.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- I11 a lifc preservcr, the combination, with the straps to encompass the body and having In testimony whereof I affix my signature buttons f, of the floats having the projections in presence of two Witnesses. g formed therewith and the straps D, passed through openings in said projections and hav- JOHN CHRISTENSEN. ing button-holes d to engage the buttons f, Witnesses: whereby the floats are detachably secured to F. G. FISCHER,

the straps, substantially as described. R. A. BALDERSON. 

